Interest group reaction to Sotomayor selection

Here is a sampling of interest group reaction to President Obama’s choice for Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court:

Michael Steele, Chairman, Republican National Committee:

Republicans look forward to learning more about federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor’s thoughts on the importance of the Supreme Court’s fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of law. Supreme Court vacancies are rare, which makes Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination a perfect opportunity for America to have a thoughtful discussion about the role of the Supreme Court in our daily lives. Republicans will reserve judgment on Sonia Sotomayor until there has been a thorough and thoughtful examination of her legal views.

Henry Solano, Interim President and General Counsel, The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF):

In selecting Judge Sotomayor, President Obama has not only made history but has selected an individual of exceptional talent, experience and commitment to justice. Judge Sotomayor has been a successful prosecutor, a corporate litigator in private practice and a highly regarded and accomplished appellate judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She was the youngest judge in the Southern District of New York and the first Hispanic federal judge in the state when President George W. H. Bush nominated her to the U. S. District Court Southern District of New York in 1992. Well-respected and highly qualified, Judge Sotomayor is a judicial moderate who will apply the law with fairness and impartiality. With Judge Sotomayor’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, President Obama recognizes the growing influence and contributions of the Hispanic community to our system of justice.

Nominating a justice to the Supreme Court of the United States is one of a President’s most serious responsibilities. Today, President Obama announced an outstanding nominee in Sonia Sotomayor. Her experience in the American judicial system, coupled with her inspiring life story and fierce intellect, make her uniquely qualified to serve on the nation’s highest court. Full statement here.

David C. Lizárraga, Chairman of the Board, USHCC:

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is thrilled by the historic nomination of Judge Sotomayor. Her independent outlook, record of excellence, and strong integrity are what our nation needs in a Supreme Court Justice. She is a role model of strength, focus, and discipline and exemplifies the American ethos, proving that anyone in this nation can fulfill their dreams, matching their potential with opportunity. Full statement here.

Janet Murguía, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza (NCLR):

Today is a monumental day for Latinos. Finally, we see ourselves represented on the highest court in the land. Judge Sotomayor’s story personifies the American Dream for so many Latinos in this country.

By nominating someone with the experience, background, and superb legal credentials of Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama has made an excellent choice for the entire country. The President wanted a justice who not only is a respected jurist, but also understands how the law affects the lives of everyday people. Judge Sotomayor embodies those qualities.

We commend President Obama for making this historic appointment and for recognizing that excellence and diversity are not mutually exclusive.

Roger Pilon, Vice President for Legal Affairs, Cato Institute:

In nominating Second Circuit Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the seat of retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter, President Obama chose the most radical of all the frequently mentioned candidates before him. Given the way she recently all but dismissed the Ricci case-involving the complaint by New Haven, Connecticut, firefighters that the city had thrown out the results of an officers exam because the results did not come out ‘right’-and the expectation, based on oral argument, that the Supreme Court will reserve the Second Circuit decision, there will likely be an extremely contentious confirmation battle ahead.

In picking Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama has confirmed that identity politics matter to him more than merit. Judge Sotomayor is not one of the leading lights of the federal judiciary and would not even have been on the shortlist if she were not Hispanic. She has a mixed reputation, with a questionable termperament and no particularly important opinions in over ten years on the Second Circuit.

For more reaction on both sides of the Sotomayor debate, click on the “continue reading” link immediately below.

Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life, the Leading Pro-Life Legal and Public Policy Organization,

For all the President’s talk of finding ‘common ground,’ this appointment completely contradicts that hallow promise. Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s judicial philosophy undermines common ground. She is a radical pick that dividies America. She believes that the role of the Court is to set policy which is exactly the philosophy that led to the Supreme Court turning into the National Abortion Control Board denying the American people [sic] the right to be heard on this critical issue.

John Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO:

America’s workers applaud the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. She is a brilliant jurist and in her distinguished career has worked at almost every level of our judicial system – as a prosecutor, litigator, trial court and appellate judge – and would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years.

Judge Sotomayor is a liberal judicial activist of the order who thinks her own personal political agenda is more important than the law as written. She thinks that judges should dicate policy, and that one’s sex, race, and ethnicity ought to affect the decisions one renders from the bench.

Michael B. Keegan, President, People of the American Way:

President Obama used this opportunity to do exactly what he promised in last year’s election-to select a person who has demonstrated an abiding commitment to core constiutional values of justice, opportunity, and equality under the law. He has named someone who understands the impact that the law has on the everyday lives of ordinary Americans.